Green Bean Pickles

Ingredients

 * 1 lb fresh green beans, cleaned and kept whole
 * 1 cup vinegar (I used wine vinegar)
 * 1 cup water
 * 1 Tbsp mustard seeds
 * 1 Tbsp fresh dill or 1 tsp dry
 * 2 – 3 cloves garlic, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
 * 1 tsp salt
 * 1 tsp sugar
 * cayenne pepper to taste

Directions

 * 1) Put all in a big pot with a lid. Bring to a boil, turn down heat and let simmer for 10 – 15 minutes or to your desired degree of tender-crispness. I let them go until they just turn that army green color.
 * 2) Keep in tightly closed container (plastic or glass preferably) in the refrigerator. They keep about a week or so and improve in flavor. Make sure you put the beans and juice in the container or they will dry out.